ICC may suspend ban on Shoaib Akhtar

Karachi, Jan 6: Shoaib Akhtar is all set to figure in the triangular
series in Australia after the International Cricket Council (ICC)
sought explanation from its advisory council regarding the suspension
of the Pakistan fast bowler.

The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Lt-Gen Tauqir Zia,
said from Lahore on Thursday that he received the information from
country's perminent representative in ICC, Ehsan Mani.

"According to Ehsan Mani, Jaghmohan Dalmiya (ICC president) has told
Sir Clybe Walcott (chairman technical committee) to settle this issue
in the next 48 hours," the general said, adding: "Explanation has been
sought from the advisory panel as to what were the grounds on which
such an extreme action was taken."

The advisory panel of the ICC on illegal deliveries suspended Shoaib
Akhtar from international cricket on Dec 30 despite the fact that
onlysix out of nine members attended the meeting. Pakistan's
representative Intikhab Alam was not allowed to sit when the committee
passed the judgement on Shoaib.

The general said Dalmiya issued the instructions after he received
Pakistan's protest. Pakistan has also challenged the suspension of
Shoaib Akhtar and has requested that the ban be suspended.

"The development is very encouraging. We have received indirect
information that the ban on Shoaib Akhtar will be suspended," he said,
adding: "The exact picture will clear tomorrow (Friday) afternoon when
I discuss the issue with Dalmiya on telephone."

The PCB chairman said he was keen to see the advisory panel meet as
soon as possible so that the player is cleared to play in the
tri-nation series in Australia.

"I am pretty confident that Shoaib Akhtar will figure in the contest
though his appearance in the back-to-back matches on Sunday and Monday
seems to be out of question," the general said.

The general said he would like Imran Khan to attend the advisory panel
meeting. He said Imran was very clear in his mind that Shoaib's action
was legal and has several arguments to support his belief.

"But if Imran is not available, Intikhab will be asked to attend the
meeting. It has now been made clear by the ICC that Intikhab will be
allowed to sit when the panel makes its decision," Lt-Gen Tauqir said.

The PCB chairman stressed that Pakistan has claimed that if there was
suspicion about Shoaib's bowling action when he was delivering an
express fast delivery or a bouncer, he should be no-balled instead of
banning him.

"Now how can he be banned if there is an element of doubt when he
bowls an express fast delivery. He should first be called and then
warned before he is suspended and told to remodel his bowling action,"
said the general.

The general said he was extremely sad over the controversy following
board secretary Shafqat Rana's statement. He termed the controversy
unnecessary. "I have asked Shafqat over his remarks. And he has denied
the he spoke of racism. "But as a policy decision, I have decided that
only I will speak on cricket matters. No one else is allowed to give
statements," he said.